7-12, Teton Tourists

I think this might just be my last post wrapping up our incredible summer vacation.  I saved this one for last because it brings me such joy when I look back on these memories.  This is the day we hopped in the truck, drove, got out, took pictures, drove some more, dipped our toes in a lake, took a walk, had a picnic, took more pictures, and so on.  We did this from sunrise to sunset.  And, it seemed that everywhere we went there was another memorable encounter.  Here are some of the neat people and experiences we had along the way.

I had to smile to myself when we stopped at this roadside bend so I could capture the reflection of the mountain in the river (names escape me now, so just go with it).  As I walked toward the water's edge, I heard the distinct chatter of Chinese women.  When I came around the bend and saw them all dolled up in their red dresses, I couldn't believe the beauty of the juxtaposition of their red dresses with the blue sky and surrounding greenery.  I smiled and walked away.... and turned back around to approach them.  I couldn't let this moment pass without capturing it.   Using sign language and simple words, they happily agreed to let me take their picture.  The best part was when I counted "1, 2, 3" in Mandarin and they all smiled in surprise.  It was almost surreal when Sven and Emalie walked up beside me.  I had the thought, 'Here we stand in the middle of the mountains of Wyoming while I photograph Chinese tourists with my Chinese daughter standing beside me.'  You just never know where life's turns will take you.  There were more smiles all around when we exchanged goodbyes..... in Mandarin.

Our next stop along our drive yielded this scene.  Again, I couldn't let this moment go without documenting it.  I talked to the artist for awhile and got permission to photograph him.  It was cool to include this artist and his work in mine. 

As we continued walking down the path, we came across students scattered around one of the historical structures I wanted to photograph (...without people in it).  I was a 'little' perturbed by the scene, but made lemonade out of lemons and decided to make them the subject of my photos instead.  I believe they were with an organization called the Teton School (or something like that) and these were students of an art class.  Emalie's eyes and ears perked up and she immediately wanted to join them (lol....).

Look out the next time our paths cross and I have my camera in hand, you just might end up here as well!  Hope you're all having a great summer.  Ours officially ends today with the start of school.  This always brings about mixed emotions for all of us.  Soon, summer and vacation will be a distant memory as we are shoveling the snow from our driveway and picking out a Christmas tree.  As Tracy Lawrence sings, "Time Marches On".....

7-11, Our Teton Experience

Do you ever find when times get stressful that you stop and wonder, "when's the last time I took a breath??" That happens to me.... a lot.  Here, in the Tetons, I could breathe.  It was so relaxing, so therapeutic and such a sensory delight.   One of my favorite lines to use during a headshot session to get my client to relax and forget about the stage fright of being in front of the camera is "close your eyes and imagine your happy place.  Now, where'd you go?"  Well, my answer would unequivocally be "the Tetons."   Just take a look at all of the fun we had.....

Ranger Em

I love the campsite we had in the park.  Look at all of those trees!  Here, Sven is cooking dinner.  In the mornings, we'd get up early, bundle up and go outside and read with our cups of coffee.  I sat at that picnic table and culled through hundreds of pictures in preparation for this blog.  My favorite memory from this campsite is when I looked up from the computer and a deer was walking by in front of me.  She stopped and looked at me with those big doe eyes and I, in turn, was mesmerized.  Yes, we see Pinery deer everyday in our yard, but this was different, this was wild.  

Look at cowgirl Em!  She handled her own horse during our horseback riding adventure.  She's a true natural.

Success! I think Sven stopped thinking about work for a bit! 

Three rookies who had a really great time!  (A comedy could have been based on my riding experience.  My horse kept going 'off-road' to take me through the trees.  We had some close encounters!)

Swimming in Jackson Lake.  Brrr..... yet so crisp and beautiful.

We are missing a family member, but we didn't miss the opportunity to take a family photo of those present.  We're not all dressed up and ready for a family portrait, but it's a happy memory to call upon nonetheless.

This may have been the best picnic spot ever.  Just take a look at those mountains and the  barns of the homesteads of Mormon row in the background.  It sort of felt like a Huck Finn scene (minus the river, lol....).

A closer view of that barn and Em in the corral wishing she had a horse to ride.

Ringing the bell of an era gone by.